Ignition timing advancement

[Racincc85]

I have a 1999 Nissan altima with 115k on it. The other day I read an article on another website strictly dedicated to Nissans. There was an article that talked about advancing the ignition timing by turning the distributor for increased performance. The article was not that specific and I still had some things I wanted to know. First off will it even do anything? The computer controls the timing advance so won't turning the base timing from 20 degress btdc (normal) to 23 by turning the distributor like the article said just confuse the computer and make the car run like crap? Finally, how much of a performance gain will there be? Thanks for the help!!!

By the way, I tried posting this in the Nissan section but got no help.

[Moppie]

What your altering is the base timing, the computer then advances the timing up from that point.

Say at 3,000rpm it runs 5deg advance.
If you alter the base from 20 to 25 then at 3,000rpm it will be running 28deg instead of 25deg advance.


I know this works on some versions of the SR20 engine simply because Nissan set the intial timing on the conersvative side because it makes the engine a little smoother at low rpm and its less likely to have problems if it encounters low octane fuel.

But how much it will work is totaly dependant on your spefic model, how your drive, and what sort of fuel you use.

If your aware of what pre-ignition, or knocking is, then I see no harm in giving it a go.
If it dosn't work you can always retard it back again.


I used to spend hours playing with my ignition timing, get it just right, run the car for a few days then have to replace the points and start all over again.
I just found a box of bits with several sets of the "old" points that never really needed replacing, I guess playing with ignition timing can be a lot of fun.

[2turboimports]

Originally Posted by Moppie

But how much it will work is totaly dependant on your spefic model, how your drive, and what sort of fuel you use.

If your aware of what pre-ignition, or knocking is, then I see no harm in giving it a go.
If it dosn't work you can always retard it back again.

+1

If your car is equipped with a knock sensor (most newer cars are) then you'll have some amount of safety if detonation does occur.

You'll probably notice a little bit of pep if you do advance the timing...and you'll definitely notice if/when the computer retards timing b/c of knock. Just remember that the knock sensor is an 'after the fact' type device.

[MagicRat]

Excellent advice so far.

If you do this you need to use a timing light and advance the ignition in a specific, measured fashion. At the stock timing setting, time several acceleration runs. Time to distance, ie, how long it takes you to cover a standing 500 ft or so, is very useful. Also record your gas mileage over several tank fulls, if possible.

Then start with advancing it 1 or 2 degrees static timing, no more, and conduct the same measurements. Hopefully, you will see an improvement in both acceleration and mileage.

Then advance it another 1 degree and test again. When you do not see an improvement in mileage and/or acceleration, or if the engine starks koncking/pinging, you have advanced it too far.

Also always use premium fuel only when you tune an engine like this, or its all a waste of time,

[Racincc85]

Thanks for the great advice. I certainly feel more comfortable doing this now. All I need now is to find a timing light I can borrow. I'll post back when I've finished and let you guys know how it went.

[superchuckles]

also when you're done, & shut the engine off after it's warmed up, wait about 2 minutes, then re-start the car. if now it is hard to start (starts to turn over, then suddenly slows like the battery went dead or something) but then starts, you went too far advancing your timing - back it back a couple degrees until it starts easily.

[Racincc85]

I finally got a timing light today and was able to begin working. I first started by advancing the timing by about 2 degrees. This really didn't make much of a difference, so I went up to 3 degrees. Still nothing happened so I said the hell with it and through caution to the wind and advanced to 6 degrees above the stock 20. I went for a ride and I was able to tell a slight difference finally. Once the engine gets to about 4,000 RPMs it really takes off. It pulls to redline much quicker from this point. I didn't hear any kind of strange noises or anything so I assume I'm safe. Actually, I really don't even know what knock or ping sound like. Could someone explain please? Thanks!

[dogbreath077]

A knock or ping sounds like little ping pong balls bouncing around in your engine. If you hear that, it is either pre-ignition, or your spark plugs have come apart because no one has told you that advancing the timing will elevate the combustion temperature to a point that exceeds the design limitations of the spark plugs, and the valves. SO I SAY DONOT, DONOT ADVANCE THE TIMING, not on a plane, or in a house, or with a mouse, not ever, ever, ever. the spark timing is not a game for an ameture to play. I spelled that wrong, oops, but you get the point. I'd say if you want better performance, go with a performance exhasut, and air filter. cheap, safe, and you can feel the differrence.